Avionics Systems Technician

Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes; Fredericton; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Part time

Job summary

A national defense organization is seeking Avionics Systems Technicians to maintain electronic systems on military aircraft. Responsibilities include performance testing and maintenance of various systems. Candidates should have a Grade 10 education and a related college diploma. Opportunities exist for part-time or full-time roles, with a focus on skills in electronics and troubleshooting. Training provided through CAF programs.

Benefits

Paid training and education programs

Medical and dental care

Paid vacation

Qualifications

• Must have strong troubleshooting skills for electronic systems.
• Ability to work shifts and overtime as required.
• Willingness to relocate for Regular Force postings.

Responsibilities

• Carry out performance tests and maintenance on electronic systems.
• Set up test equipment and operate automatic test stations.
• Prepare and maintain aircraft forms and reports.

Skills

Performance tests

Preventive maintenance

Electronic warfare

Navigation systems

Flight control systems

Education

Completion of Grade 10 or Secondary 4

College diploma or Red Seal in a related field

Tools

Test equipment

Computer-controlled automatic test stations

Job description

Overview

As a member of the military, Avionics Systems Technicians are responsible for maintaining all electronic systems onboard Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) aircraft. They are part of the aircraft maintenance team and handle first line servicing operations in launching and recovering all types of aircraft.

The primary responsibilities of Avionics Systems Technicians are to:

• Carry out performance tests, preventive/corrective maintenance, and calibration of the following systems and their associated components:
• Aircraft communication
• Intercom
• Search radar
• Fire control radar
• Acoustic sensing
• Infra-red radar
• Electronic warfare
• Navigation
• Compass
• Flight control systems
• Automatic flight control systems
• Electrical wiring interconnection system
• Set up and operate test equipment to maintain the above systems
• Operate and maintain computer-controlled automatic test stations
• Serve as an instructor in field technical training units, training squadrons or basic training units
• Prepare and maintain aircraft forms and statistical data
• Operate aircraft support equipment
• Perform first line servicing tasks such as marshalling, parking, towing, starting, refueling, cleaning and de-icing

Work environment

Avionics Systems Technicians are employed primarily at air bases in aircraft maintenance organizations, in maintenance hangers, in airborne aircraft, lab environments and on the flight line. They may work shifts and overtime. Employment can vary from CAF bases and wings within Canada, including the Arctic, to overseas locations worldwide in response to NATO and UN commitments.

If you choose a career in the Regular Force, after completing required training you will be assigned to your first base. Postings may require relocations. If you join the Primary Reserve Force, you will work through a specific Reserve unit, typically with one night per week and some weekends as a minimum, with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options
• Paid Education Options

The minimum education to apply is the completion of provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec including Grade 10 Applied Math or Math 416 / CST 4. The ideal candidate will have a college diploma or Red Seal for a related civilian occupation; CAF will assess training and experience for progression after basic training. Foreign education may be accepted. Non-commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Program (NCMSTEP) is available.

Because this position requires specialty training, the CAF will pay successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college. NCMSTEP students attend basic training and on-the-job training during the summer months with full-time salary, medical and dental care, and paid vacation in exchange for working with the CAF for a period of time. If applying to this program, you must apply to both the CAF and the appropriate college.

Training

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course (Basic Training) at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. The goal is to establish CAF physical fitness standards. Avionics Systems Technicians attend Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE) in Borden, Ontario for Common Core (8 weeks) and later for occupational training (36 weeks). After time at a Squadron, they return to CFSATE for the following topics:

• Solid-state devices
• Digital logic
• Aircraft wiring
• Magnetron, Klystron, Travelling Wave Tubes and Microwave theory
• Computer techniques and architecture
• Inspection and repair of Avionics (AVS) and AVS/AVI (multi-purpose display systems)
• Pitot static systems
• Flight instruments
• Compass
• Aircraft flight recorder and locator
• Air data computer
• Automatic flight control
• Electronic warfare systems
• Navigation systems
• Radar systems
• Communication systems
• Aircraft data processing

Applicants enrolled in NCMSTEP may complete portions of their Basic Occupational Qualification Training at an approved college or university. Avionics Systems Technicians may access specialized courses and on-the-job training, including:

• Instructional techniques
• Calibration technician
• Computerized fault diagnosis and analysis
• High reliability soldering
• Aircraft specific type courses
• Advanced aircraft maintenance course
• Instructional Technique
• Life Cycle Materiel Management
• Aircraft Fluid Handling
• Corrosion Identification and Control
• Technical Writing
• Technical Inspection and Quality Assurance
• Flight Safety Investigators Course

As progress is made, advanced training may be offered. Available courses include:

• Technical administration
• Leadership and management courses

Part-time options

This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time at an Air Force Wing in their community, may serve while in school or working civilian jobs, and are paid during training. They are not posted or required to relocate, but may volunteer to move bases or deploy on missions.

Avionics Systems Technicians serve with the Royal Canadian Air Force in part-time or casual full-time roles at forces bases and tactical units in Canada. A recruiting centre can be found through official channels.

Reserve Force members typically begin training with their home unit and then proceed to the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics in Kingston, Ontario for POET (about 30 weeks). After POET, they advance to the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering for Common Core and Avionics Systems Technician course (about 47 weeks). Potentially, formal trade training continues for about 77 weeks.

Air Reserve members are trained to the same level as Regular Force and serve similarly. They typically serve up to 12 days per month, with opportunities for full-time service short durations. Reserve pay is 92.8% of Regular Force rates, with benefits and potential pension eligibility.

Related Careers

Electronic-Optronic Technician (Land); Biomedical Electronics Technologist; Aviation Systems Technician (and related notes under Accelerated Pay Increment).